UK MPs Across Parties Condemn Drax's Plan to Power AI Data Centre with Biomass
By
Stuart Spray
3d ago· 7 min readenNews
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Summary
Drax, the UK's largest carbon emitter, is bypassing government climate rules to power a hyperscale AI data centre using biomass energy from wood pellets shipped from North America. MPs from the Conservative, Labour, and Liberal Democrat parties have condemned the move as a "sleight of hand," arguing that Drax is misleadingly claiming its wood-burning energy is clean. The proposal also sidesteps £460 million in government subsidy conditions meant to ensure sustainable energy practices.
Key quotes
· 3 pulledVeteran Conservative MP Sir Roger Gale told Byline Times that Drax was engaged in 'sleight of hand' by claiming the energy it generates from wood pellets shipped more than 5,000 miles across the Atlantic is clean.
Labour MP Alex Sobel called the proposal 'ludicrous'.
Liberal Democrat MP Pippa Heylings said she would raise the issue directly with the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero.
Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrat MPs accuse Drax of ‘sleight of hand’ as it sidesteps £460 million government subsidy conditions in order to power AI
